Attachment devices for vehicle rooftop rack accessories

Abstract

Rack systems are disclosed for coupling accessories to crossbars on top of a vehicle. A coupling device may include a flexible strap member adjustably anchored at one end of a body. The strap member may be connected to the other end of the body and tightened. A mounting assembly may be provided on the top side of the body for connection to a cargo-specific carrier or accessory. A coupling device may also include a flexible fitting member configured to grip a round or rectangular crossbar. A cap member may be configured to be mounted on the fitting member and have one or more ramp surfaces which form a sliding interface with a corresponding surface on the fitting member, thereby providing a closing or tightening effect on the fitting member with respect to the crossbar. Other coupling devices are configured to grip or clamp a t-slot in the crossbar.

We claim: 
     
       1. A rack for carrying cargo on a vehicle, comprising:
 a cargo-specific carrying assembly configured to secure cargo, 
 a clamp device connected to the carrying assembly, configured for connecting the carrying assembly to a crossbar mounted on top of a vehicle, the clamp device including: 
 (a) a body having a top portion, a bottom portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion, the bottom portion configured for contacting a top side of a crossbar, the top portion of the body connected to the cargo-specific carrying assembly, and 
 (b) a flexible strap member connected to the first end portion of the body, the strap member having an effective length and a distal end portion pivotally connected to an over center lever device including a shaft portion, the second end portion of the body having a dial and a slot for receiving the shaft portion of the lever device, rotation of the dial causing alteration of the effective length of the strap member when the shaft portion is seated in the slot, wherein the lever device is moveable between an open position and a closed position, movement of the lever device from the open position to the closed position causing a decrease in the effective length of the strap member. 
 
     
     
       2. The rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a latch mechanism configured to move over the lever device to secure the lever device in the closed position. 
     
     
       3. A rack for carrying cargo on a vehicle, comprising:
 a cargo-specific carrying assembly configured to secure cargo, 
 a clamp device connected to the carrying assembly, configured for connecting the carrying assembly to a crossbar mounted on top of a vehicle, the clamp device including: 
 (a) a body having a top portion, a bottom portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion, the bottom portion configured for contacting a top side of a crossbar, the top portion of the body connected to the cargo-specific carrying assembly, 
 (b) a flexible strap member connected to the first end portion of the body, the strap member having an effective length and a distal end portion configured for selective detachable connection to the second end portion of the body, 
 (c) a first adjustment mechanism on the first end portion of the body configured to selectively adjust the effective length of the strap member, and 
 (d) a second adjustment mechanism on the second end portion of the body configured to selectively adjust the effective length of the strap member. 
 
     
     
       4. The rack of  claim 3 , wherein the first adjustment mechanism includes a barrel nut on a threaded shaft. 
     
     
       5. The rack of  claim 3 , wherein the distal end portion of the strap member is connected to a cam lever. 
     
     
       6. The rack of  claim 3 , wherein the second adjustment mechanism includes a cam lever. 
     
     
       7. The rack of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a dial on the second end portion of the body, wherein rotation of the dial causes rotation of the threaded shaft. 
 
     
     
       8. The rack of  claim 7 , wherein the second adjustment mechanism includes a cam lever which is moveable between an open position and a closed position, the cam lever covering the dial when the cam lever is in the closed position.